Liverpool FC to reduce tickets for Manchester Utd fans

Plans to reduce the number of tickets allocated to Manchester United fans when their team play at Anfield have been approved.

The reduction was approved by Liverpool City Council's licensing committee following safety concerns about away supporters standing in gangways.

The number of available tickets will be cut from more than 3,000 to 1,965 for the game on 15 October.

The decision will be reviewed annually by the head of licensing.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the Ground Safety Advisory Group which heard, in spite of efforts of stewards to reduce standing, the gangways could not be kept clear throughout the last game in March.

A Liverpool City Council spokesman said: "The city council has agreed to reduce the permitted number of tickets that can be made available by the Club to the visiting supporters of Manchester United for the 2011/12 season.

"For the coming season, 1,965 tickets will be made available compared with 3,015 for last season.

"This decision will be reviewed on an annual basis by the head of licensing, in consultation with Liverpool Football Club.

"It will also be looked at if Manchester United are drawn with Liverpool FC in any future Cup matches."

He added: "This decision has been reached following consideration by the Local Authority Ground Safety Advisory Group and the Licensing Committee of the relevant national guidance, previous games between the clubs and evidence from the Liverpool v Manchester United game of the 6 March 2011.

"The decision was taken to address the safety concerns caused by Manchester United supporters standing in gangways."